OLD Elizabethans boosted their Division Two promotion prospects and dented those of rivals Cannock with a seven-wicket win on opposition territory.

The convincing victory gave OEs a 21-point advantage at the top of the table after nearest contenders Evesham overcame Ombersley by one wicket.

Having restricted Cannock to 176 for eight thanks to Chris Griffiths’ five for 43, Krishall Magage’s 84 helped leaders OEs comfortably knock off the runs.

Evesham were made to work much harder for their win after Ted Baylis (77 not out) and Marcus D’Oliveira (53) inspired Ombersley to 211 for eight.

But Sam Cheshire’s knock of 52 and captain Neal Radford’s 19 not out squeezed Evesham to victory despite the efforts of Matt Rawnsley who took six for 32.

Berkswell are in third and still in the frame for an instant return to Division One after an impressive 165-run win at St Georges.

Former Warwickshire batsman Dominic Ostler hit 123 not out and James Neale added 53 as Berkswell posted 298 for six. And St Georges had no answer to the spin of Baba Khan who helped skittle them for 133 with five for 34.

Struggling Aston Manor endured a torrid time when they were demolished for just 70 runs in their nine-wicket defeat at home to Bridgnorth.

Jono Whitney did the damage with five for 23 before David Exall’s unbeaten 46 guided the Shropshire side to the simplest of successes.

There was a thrilling finale at Harborne where visiting Water Orton dramatically won the mid-table clash by one wicket. Harborne were hopeful after Nirru Raveenthirarajara hit 47 in their total of 230 despite Orton’s Ed Harris taking four for 42.

But Paul Bedford (75) and Steve Murphy (48) kept their composure to help Orton cross the winning line.

Harborne’s Kieran Iyer took five for 63 and the hosts felt hard done by when a run-out appeal, which would have led to a tie, went against them. Tamworth remain in trouble, just one place off the bottom, after a six-wicket defeat at Whitchurch, who themselves still have an outside chance of promotion.